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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the men wearing as they gather in the road to get in the convoy headed for battle?

2. Why does Goodrich's father turn Mark in to the police?

3. What does Goodrich do after a few months back home?

4. What is Goodrich offered after he writes a report about the killing of the man and woman?

5. Where has Hodges been recovering from his wounds?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hodges do when he is released from the Japanese hospital?

2. What becomes of Dan and his men when they are on the road to Laos?

3. What is Hodges' reply when his classmate asks him if they can still win the war?

4. What does Snake do when he sees Senator in the hole?

5. Why does Snake disagree with Kersey's order to move the men to the paddy?

6. What is the reaction of Hodges' son when Mitsuko takes him to see his father's memorial?

7. What effect does sitting in the rain have on Hodges' men?

8. Why does a three star General arrive at Hodges' platoon?

9. What is in the letter that Bagger takes from a dead VC soldier?

10. What does Hodges' mother do with the flag and gold medal she receives that Hodges earned while in the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Describe the attitudes of the people in America toward the soldiers fighting in the war and those who return from the war.

2) Use examples from the letters and comments of the men who return home for R&R or are discharged after serving in Vietnam.

3) How do the comments about the people back in the states affect the men's morale?

4) How do they feel emotionally when they hear the comments from home?

Essay Topic 2

1) Evaluate the relationship between Hodges and Mitsuko.

2) Are they a good match? Explain.

3) How do they interact with one another?

4) What are the qualities of their relationship?

5) Cite examples from the story proving their acceptance of one another and their role in the war.

Essay Topic 3

1) Write an introduction to the novel discussing James Webb's writing style, use of dialogue, irony, imagery, and point of view of the characters.

2) How do these literary elements affect the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 615 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample